Update on Specsavers and Greggs

This is just a brief update on a shop move and the opening of a store famed for its sausage rolls.

Greggs on King Street looks ready to open. The signage is up and the furniture and kitchen equipment are in. But it does not have an adequate power supply. That will be sorted before the Mayfair.

Specsavers is moving across the road into the former HSBC bank building.

We are seeing changes in Ludlow’s retail shops. That has always been inevitable. The pandemic has not had as much an impact here in Ludlow as elsewhere where it is led to closure of entire shopping centres. But we can never take our eyes off the need for our town to host distinctive independent shops as well as a range of national chains.  

Power will be installed for Greggs in time for the Mayfair. Shropshire Council’s traffic officers have been negotiating this work with Western Power Distribution for some weeks. We won’t allow all day closure of King Street, except on Sundays. WPD will close King Street on Sunday 24 April from 7am and must reopen the street by 6am on Monday morning. We are not expecting traffic problems but if there are, there is a contingency plan for two-way traffic on Brand Lane. King Street will be closed overnight on Monday 25 April to allow resurfacing and hardening of the surface. WPD has been warned that it will need to replace block paving on the pavement outside Greggs.

King Street must reopen at 6am on Wednesday 26 April. Sometimes roadworks overrun. WPD has been told that no overrun will be tolerated in this instance. The Mayfair arrives from 5pm on Wednesday. There is no alternative access for the biggest rides.

For a fast food outlet like Greggs, there can be no better time to open than in time for the biggest entertainment in town, back after a two year absence. Although I once enjoyed a vegan sausage roll from a Greggs, it’s not quite my style. I am told the coffee is better than Costa but I don’t drink coffee except in emergencies. Tea is far superior.

If you are struggling to read a menu, Specsavers is moving across the road. It is taking over the former HSBC bank building. As everyone will have seen, there are major works going on inside the building and scaffolding across its front.

The former HSBC has been empty for five years and it is good news that it is being brought back into use, especially as the current Specsavers is cramped (as is its neighbour Boots). The new Specsavers willl have five consultation rooms, two of which will be on the first floor.